Don't fire until you see th…Oh, go ahead and fire

Byron Dorgan (D-ND) is not waiting around to see what FCC Chairman Kevin Martin has up his sleeve before going public against it. In fact, he’s rounded up a 24-member bipartisan posse of senators, including four Republicans and one independent, informing Martin that if he goes ahead with his plan to remove cross-ownership restrictions in the top 20 markets, they will "immediately move legislation that will revoke and nullify the proposed rule. We are notifying you and others of this proposed action in order to make certain you understand the consequences of ignoring the need for and the right of the American people to play a constructive role in attempts by a federal agency to change rules that have substantial impact on the American people. In light of this, we request and expect that you will postpone the action scheduled for December 18, 2007."

The letter cites lack of proper window for citizens to read, understand and comment on the proposed rule change, only 28 days from the proposed rule’s unveiling on 11/13/07 until 12/11/07.

Martin has said that to the contrary, the public has been given ample time to discuss the issue of cross-ownership, and that his decision to release the proposal in advance was an extraordinary and unnecessary act done in deference to the many requests the FCC has had to see the proposed changes prior to an open meeting vote.